Modified shipping containers with removable header and removable cover

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for shipping of fabricated rectangular wooden modules used for construction of a wood frame structure and for shipping of other bulky items are described. In particular, the disclosure features a modified shipping container for shipping the fabricated rectangular wooden modules and methods of loading, transporting, and unloading the fabricated rectangular wooden modules. The modified shipping container features a removable header system and a removable cover. The fabricated rectangular wooden modules include a module length axis, a module width axis, a bounded wood perimeter, and joists or rafters oriented perpendicularly to the module length axis, and are stacked as cargo in the interior of the container such that joists or rafters of the fabricated rectangular wooden modules are substantially vertical and the length axes of the modules are substantially parallel to a length axis of the container.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shipping container comprising:
 a container bottom;   two container sides and a container end in communication with the container bottom;   a first container opening opposing the container end providing access to a container interior from a front of the container;   one or more doors at the first container opening configured to facilitate front loading of the container when open, and seal the first container opening when closed; and   a second container opening providing access to a top of the container;   a side frame partially surrounding the first container opening along both container sides and a portion of a top of the first container opening; and   a removable header system comprising:
 a removable header having a header bore therethrough and configured to be joined to the side frame at the top of the first container opening; 
 a first structure extending laterally within the first container opening from the side frame and capable of supporting the removable header during attachment of the removable header; 
 a second structure extending outwardly from the side frame away from the first container opening above the one or more doors; 
 a flange attached to the second structure, the flange having a flange bore therethrough in horizontal alignment with the header bore when the removable header is attached; and 
 a pin designed to pass horizontally through the header bore and flange bore and capable of locking the removable header in place. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clip secured to an end of the pin to lock the pin in place after the pin is passed horizontally through the removable header.   
     
     
         3 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable cover disposed above and sealing the second container opening. 
     
     
         4 . The shipping container of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an outer margin or strip of material attached to the removable cover; and   a plurality of rings attached to the outer margin or strip of fabric.   
     
     
         5 . The shipping container of  claim 4 , further comprising a rope passing through the plurality of rings. 
     
     
         6 . The shipping container of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of hooks disposed at an outer surface of the container sides, the container end, and the one or more container doors. 
     
     
         7 . The shipping container of  claim 6 , wherein the rope is woven taught through the plurality of rings and plurality of hooks to secure the removable cover extending over the two container sides, the container end, and the one or more container doors. 
     
     
         8 . The shipping container of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality rings is disposed above and between each of the plurality of hooks such that the rope is woven taut in a zig-zag pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The shipping container of  claim 3 , wherein the removable cover is made of a flexible polymeric material. 
     
     
         10 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the first container opening and second container opening together provide for a continuous space spanning through both the front and the top of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The shipping container of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the container is capable of holding one or more cargo chosen from fabricated rectangular wooden modules comprising floor modules, ceiling modules, roof modules, and wall modules.